Chapter 4 - I Hope Your Coffee Is Expired

The bodega was supposed to be my safe place. A quiet stop after work, where I could grab my tea, pretend to browse the shelves, and not interact with a single soul.

But tonight, the universe had other plans.

Because the second I stepped inside, I knew something was wrong.

Luis wasn't at the counter.

Instead, some too-young, too-nosy cashier stood in his place, eyeing me like they knew something I didn't.

I ignored it. Or at least, I tried to.

And then, because my suffering is apparently endless, the door chimed behind me.

I didn't even need to look. Of course, it was him.

Pierre strolled in like he owned the place, probably already making heart eyes at his iced coffee.

I kept my head down, focusing on grabbing my tea, when suddenly—

"Okay, wait—are you guys always here at the same time?"

I blinked. Excuse me?

I turned my head, only to see the cashier grinning like they just uncovered national gossip.

Pierre, meanwhile, looked absolutely thrilled.

"Finally, someone who understands us," he said, sipping his coffee like this wasn't a catastrophic event.

I turned to him so slowly it should have been physically painful.

"Pierre," I said, barely keeping my voice steady, "shut up."

The cashier gasped. Actually, literally gasped.

"Oh my god," they whispered, gripping the counter. "She said your name like she's in denial about her feelings—this is SO good."

My soul left my body.

Pierre just grinned, the absolute menace. "Right? We're working on our communication issues."

I slammed my tea onto the counter so hard the mint display rattled. "I am pressing charges."

The cashier wiggled their eyebrows. "Enemies to lovers? Oh, this is gold."

I inhaled slowly. Count to ten. Find inner peace. Think of a happy place.

I failed.

Pierre, being the walking disaster that he is, kept going. "Should we tell them about our secret engagement?"

I considered my options.

1. Run.

2. Arson.

3. Witness protection.

Instead, I exhaled sharply. "If I commit a crime right now, do you think Luis would testify against me?"

The cashier tapped their chin. "Mmmm… hard to say. But I would livestream it."

Pierre laughed as he paid for his drink, like this was all perfectly normal. I grabbed my tea and stormed out before I lost the last shred of dignity I had left.

I barely made it a few steps before I heard him behind me, unbothered. Leisurely.

I stared out at the street, sipping my tea, ignoring him. Maybe if I stayed completely still, he'd disappear.

"You okay, sweetheart?" he asked, voice dripping with amusement.

I let the silence hang just long enough to make him wonder if I'd answer. Then, finally, I turned to him, completely deadpan.

"I hope your iced coffee is expired."

Pierre burst out laughing.

I hated him.

And worse?

I'd be back tomorrow.

And so would he.